Once More Magic!!!!

Chapter 1.2: The Battle of the Desserts

The cozy interior of Beatrice's castle glowed with the soft light of a flickering fireplace. The living room was cluttered with mismatched furniture, but Beatrice didn't care. She lay sprawled across a worn sofa, her head resting on a pillow that had long since lost its fluff.

Beatrice: "Finally. Quiet."

She drifted into a peaceful sleep, the kind earned by someone used to managing magical mayhem.

But peace was always temporary.

From the shadows of the kitchen, a tiny figure crept forward. The gingerbread man stood no taller than a teacup, his frosting eyes scanning the room. A gumdrop nose twitched as he caught the scent of sugary delights.

Rookie: "There it is," he whispered, spotting a towering cake on the counter.

Layers of soft sponge, swirls of icing, and a single glossy cherry perched on top made it look almost too perfect to eat. Almost.

The gingerbread man climbed onto the counter, licking his frosted lips. But as he reached for the cake, it shuddered.

The cherry blinked.

The entire cake sprang to life, its layers shifting into rows of razor-sharp candy teeth.

Cake: "INTRUDER!"

Rookie: "What the crumbs?!" yelped the gingerbread man as he dove out of the way.

Frosting shot through the air like sticky projectiles, splattering the walls. The gingerbread man dodged wildly, grabbing a spoon and swinging it at a frosting tendril. The enchanted cake knocked over a stack of pots in its pursuit, its growls echoing through the kitchen.

The commotion woke Beatrice.

Rubbing her eyes, she shuffled toward the noise. When she stepped into the kitchen, she found her enchanted cake mid-charge, frosting dripping like sweat, while a gingerbread man cowered behind a saucepan lid.

Beatrice: "All right, that's enough."

She waved a hand. The cake froze mid-lunge, then backed off, grumbling under its breath.

Beatrice: "Who are you, and why are you wrecking my kitchen?"

Rookie: "Uh, Rookie," the gingerbread man stammered, adjusting his frosting bowtie. "I got lost... and hungry. Thought I'd grab a snack."

Beatrice: "You tried to steal from my enchanted pantry?"

Rookie: "Well, it didn't look enchanted at first," he muttered, glancing nervously at the still-glowering cake.

Beatrice sighed and tore off a slice.

Beatrice: "Here. Take this and get out. Next time, you'll be on the menu."

Rookie accepted the slice, wide-eyed.

Rookie: "Thanks. Really. Uh, Beatrice, right?"

She waved him off, already heading back to her sofa.

Beatrice: "Go before I change my mind."

The gingerbread man didn't wait to be told twice. He darted out of the castle, clutching the cake slice as if it were treasure.

Peace settled over Beatrice's home once again—brief and fragile, but peace nonetheless.